We are on the doorstep of the fantasy postseason, and the waiver wire is littered with broken dreams.

If you're 9-1, you can take the long view. But if you're .500, you need players who can help you now.

You don't need a calendar to tell you the fantasy playoffs are coming.

You just need to look at the waiver wire.

The suggestions below are a function of matchups, expected opportunities and other factors. As a general rule, we will focus only upon players available in more than 50 percent of Yahoo! fantasy leagues.

Quarterbacks

49ers QB Colin Kaepernick (owned in one percent of Yahoo! leagues) — Need a quarterback? Pick him up. Don't need a quarterback? Pick him up anyway. Sure, it's possible he may not play Monday night vs. Chicago if Alex Smith (concussion) is cleared, and even if Kaepernick does play, he's no slam-dunk start by any means against a ferocious Bears defense. Nevertheless, he's an ideal claim-and-stash proposition, especially in leagues that play through Week 17. What if the 49ers are locked into a playoff seed and rest Smith? Kaepernick, who's rushed for three TDs in limited action this season, could be a fun final-week play. 

Eagles QB Nick Foles (five percent) — In their final seven games, the Eagles face the Redskins (Weeks 11 and 16), Carolina (Week 12), Dallas (Week 13), Tampa Bay (Week 14), Cincinnati (Week 15) and the N.Y. Giants (Week 17). There isn't a single standout pass defense in the bunch. Foles is a plug-and-play option Sunday vs. the Redskins (20 passing TDs surrendered) if QB Michael Vick (concussion) can't go, and the rookie from Arizona has some season-long value if it comes to that.